BMW M5 F90 Performance Parts & Tuning Mods

Top Brands For BMW M5 F90 Upgrades

The BMW M5 F90 is well supported by leading performance brands, offering everything from uprated exhausts and intakes to coilovers, wheels and braking upgrades. Below you will find a selection of top manufacturers known for quality mods and proven track-ready parts.

Exterior Styling Mods for BMW M5 F90

You can give your BMW M5 F90 serious road presence with exterior styling mods that sharpen its already aggressive look. From aero body kits, front splitters and rear diffusers to boot spoilers, custom grilles and trim upgrades, there is plenty of choice to make your M5 stand out from the crowd.

Suspension & Handling Upgrades

The BMW M5 F90 is a seriously quick saloon, but from the factory it is quite soft and can push into understeer when you really lean on it. Start with quality tyres, maybe a more track-focused summer compound, to sharpen front-end bite and traction. Pair that with uprated brake pads, performance discs and braided lines and you will get more consistent stopping power and better pedal feel, ideal for fast road and occasional track days. Next, look at suspension tuning. Lowering springs or height-adjustable coilovers reduce body roll and tighten the chassis, so the M5 feels more agile and controlled in quick direction changes. Stiffer anti-roll bars, upgraded bushes and front / rear strut braces help keep the car flatter in corners and improve stability on turn-in. Done in stages, these mods transform the big BMW into a more responsive, playful car, without ruining comfort if you choose sensible spring rates and damper settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best first performance mods for a BMW M5 F90?

If you are just getting started with tuning your M5 F90, a proper ECU remap or calibration for the twin turbo V8 is usually the best first step. A quality map tailored to decent fuel can give stronger mid range torque and sharper throttle response, without making the car feel laggy or unpredictable.

After that, look at an upgraded panel filter or intake system, plus a freer flowing rear exhaust or axle back system. These intake and exhaust upgrades help the turbos breathe a bit easier, support future power mods, and give the car a more purposeful sound without making it unbearable on the motorway.

How much power can I get from a remap on my BMW M5 F90 and is it safe?

A sensible stage 1 remap on an otherwise stock M5 F90 can unlock noticeable gains in horsepower and torque, mainly by optimising boost, ignition timing and torque limits. The exact figures depend on fuel quality, software and dyno conditions, so it is better to think in terms of stronger mid range pull and improved drivability rather than chasing headline numbers.

When tuned conservatively and kept within the mechanical limits of the S63 engine and ZF gearbox, a stage 1 ECU tune is generally reliable. The key is to use a reputable tuner, run good quality 99 RON fuel where possible, and keep up with regular servicing, including oil, plugs and coils.

Will tuning my BMW M5 F90 affect reliability?

Any performance upgrade that increases boost and torque will add some extra stress to the engine, gearbox and drivetrain. That said, the F90 M5 is built on a strong base, so a well developed stage 1 or modest stage 2 setup is usually fine if the car is maintained properly and not abused from cold.

To protect reliability, keep on top of oil changes, spark plugs, coil packs and cooling system health. Avoid cheap off the shelf maps, stick to proven hardware like quality intakes, intercoolers and exhausts, and let the car warm up before hard driving. Driven with a bit of mechanical sympathy, a tuned M5 F90 can still be a dependable daily.

What exhaust upgrades work best on the BMW M5 F90?

The most popular options are cat back or rear section exhaust systems which improve sound and reduce back pressure without going too wild. A performance exhaust for the F90 can give a deeper tone, more turbo whistle and sharper gearshift cracks, while staying road friendly with the right silencer layout.

If you plan to push higher power levels, pairing a quality exhaust with uprated downpipes and an appropriate ECU remap helps the turbos flow more efficiently. Just be aware of UK MOT and emissions rules if you start changing catalytic converters, and pick hardware that suits how you actually use the car, road, track or mixed.

What wheel and tyre sizes fit well on a BMW M5 F90 for road and track?

The stock wheel and tyre setup is already quite aggressive, but many owners upgrade to lightweight forged rims or motorsport style alloys to reduce unsprung weight and sharpen handling. Common upgrades keep a similar overall diameter, but widen the wheels slightly for more grip and a better stance.

When changing wheels, pay attention to width, offset and tyre profile to avoid rubbing on arches or suspension. For mixed road and occasional track use, a quality UHP tyre with a square or near square setup front to rear works well and helps tame understeer. We can advise on safe offsets, spacers and tyre choices that clear brakes and work with your suspension mods.

Do I need supporting mods for a stage 2 tune on my BMW M5 F90?

For a typical stage 2 setup on the M5 F90, you will usually want uprated downpipes, a less restrictive exhaust, and improved cooling such as better intercoolers or charge coolers. These performance parts allow the ECU map to run slightly higher boost and timing without excessive intake temps or back pressure.

At this level it is also wise to use fresh plugs one step colder, healthy coils and good quality engine oil changed more frequently. While the standard fuel system and turbos can cope with a sensible stage 2, the overall package should be planned as a matched kit rather than mixing random mods.

Is the BMW M5 F90 suitable for track days once modified?

The F90 M5 is a big, powerful saloon, so it will never feel like a lightweight track toy, but with the right upgrades it can perform very well on circuit. A good alignment, uprated pads and fluid, decent tyres and maybe mild suspension tweaks make a huge difference to consistency and confidence on track days.

If you are running higher power tuning, make sure cooling and braking are prioritised before chasing even more horsepower. Heat management is the main issue on circuit, so consider uprated intercoolers or auxiliary radiators, and always cool the car down with a few gentle laps before coming back into the pits.

Final Thoughts On The BMW M5 F90

The BMW M5 F90 is already a bit of a weapon out of the box, with that twin-turbo V8, clever xDrive system and a cabin you can happily daily in. It is fast, refined and brutally effective, but like most modern performance saloons it leaves a bit of headroom from the factory. That is where smart tuning, bolt-on performance parts and a few chassis tweaks really start to bring the car’s character to the surface. Done properly, you keep the usability and comfort that make the M5 so appealing, while sharpening the bits that feel a little muted in stock form. Heat management, exhaust flow and slightly soft factory suspension settings are the usual talking points on the F90. Enthusiasts typically look at uprated intercoolers, freer flowing downpipes and exhaust systems, plus sensible ECU or gearbox software to keep power consistent and drivability clean. A set of quality coilovers or performance springs, matched with better pads, discs and fluid, gives you the confidence to lean on the car harder without it feeling floaty or overworked. The result is an M5 that feels more alert and engaging, without ruining the long-distance comfort that makes it such a capable all-rounder. Styling wise, subtle aero, lightweight wheels and a few carbon fibre touches really suit the M5’s aggressive lines without going over the top. Combine those with well chosen engine, handling and braking upgrades and you end up with a package that feels tailored to you, not just another fast executive saloon. The key is balance, picking modifications that complement each other and sticking to proven, motorsport-led parts that respect reliability. Get that mix right and your BMW M5 F90 turns into something genuinely special, a personalised build that hits just as hard on a B-road blast as it does on the daily commute.